Aurora Capital Group Completes Acquisition of Arc International Cookware

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Aurora Capital Group ("Aurora"), a Los Angeles-based private equity firm with over $2 billion of assets under management, today announced that its affiliate, Aurora Resurgence, has completed the acquisition of Paris-based Arc International Cookware S.A.S. and its subsidiaries, Arc International Cookware Spain & Portugal, Arc International Cookware Srl and Arc International Cookware Ltd, from the Arc International Group S.A.  The company will be re-named International Cookware as part of the corporate carve-out, effective immediately. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

International Cookware, which operates as an autonomous subsidiary, specializes in the design, manufacture and distribution of multi-material cookware products.  It holds the exclusive license for the distribution of Pyrex®-brand products in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, where the brand is a leader in the glass ovenware market. International Cookware also operates the largest borosilicate glass facility in the world for the manufacture of tempered glass with industry-leading heat and thermal shock resistance. It is highly regarded in its markets for best-in-class product quality and innovative design capability.

"International Cookware represents another great addition to the Aurora Capital Group portfolio," said Gerald L. Parsky, Chairman of Aurora Capital.  "Aurora focuses on leading middle market companies, and the Resurgence team has demonstrated the ability to identify and acquire high-potential opportunities overseas. Aurora has a long track record of creating value by collaborating with management teams to facilitate growth, and we look forward to doing so with International Cookware." 

Steven D. Smith, Managing Partner of Aurora Resurgence, said, "We see a tremendous opportunity to grow International Cookware and capitalize on its strategic position in the large and highly fragmented housewares market.   Aurora Resurgence excels in corporate carve-outs and similar transactions, with the ability to provide quick, flexible capital to stakeholders and substantial resources to management teams.  This is our second new investment in Resurgence Fund II and we are pleased to add another well-positioned company."

Ryan C. McCarthy, Partner of Aurora Resurgence, said, "We would like to thank all of the parties and key constituents who helped us execute this complex transaction.  International Cookware has a talented management team, deep customer relationships and is widely recognized as a global leader in multi-material cookware.  We believe that together, we will be able to increase profitability and create meaningful growth through product innovation and market expansion to help the Company reach its true potential."

About Aurora Capital Group

Aurora Capital Group is a Los Angeles-based investment firm formed in 1991 that acquires and builds companies in partnership with operating management. The Firm currently manages approximately $2 billion in capital and is committed to investing in companies with unique, defensible market positions. Aurora is dedicated to generating long-term value principally through investing the time and resources necessary to enhance the fundamentals of each of its businesses. Aurora Resurgence is focused on investing in the debt and equity securities of middle market companies, targeting complex situations that are created by operational or financial challenges either within a company or a broader industry.  For more information on Aurora Capital Group, visit its Web site at www.auroracap.com.

Contacts:   
Sharon Stern / Bryan Darrow  
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher   
212-355-4449  

SOURCE Aurora Capital Group